My Honkai: Star Rail System Arrived Early

What he really liked were tall, slender, beautiful young women—and best of all, with nice feet.

Ji Yuan looked at Huohuo and said, "This Suiyang Subjugation Art of mine was created by me alone. No one else in the world knows it. Huohuo, do you want to learn?"

His eyes were full of expectation.

He'd only 'teased' Huohuo a little and already obtained the Suiyang Subjugation Art. If he taught her, even became her teacher, wouldn't that mean a long-term, stable source of wool to pluck?

This was an untapped and very stable mine, and Ji Yuan wasn't about to let it go easily.

When it came to matters of life and death, Ji Yuan's motivation was immense.

Besides, although this [Suiyang Subjugation Art] had been obtained from Huohuo, the description made it clear it wasn't something Huohuo had created or mastered in the future—it was unique to the system.

So Ji Yuan felt no guilt at all in claiming it as his own.

Teaching this to Huohuo and becoming her teacher? Ji Yuan had zero qualms.

Chapter 17: Ji Yuan's First Student, Huohuo

"Me... learn this technique?"

Huohuo seemed not to have understood Ji Yuan's words, and repeated them back to him.

"That's right." Ji Yuan looked at the tail behind Huohuo with ill intent in his eyes. "If you had this technique, would you still be afraid of that tail behind you?"

"Hey, I'm warning you—don't you dare trick Huohuo!"

Tail Master's tone was clearly panicked.

"How could I possibly trick Huohuo?" Ji Yuan walked over to her and said, "Huohuo, how about I take control of your tail right now?"

He pointed at the Suiyang, which was about to finish its two hundredth lap and fly back.

"You could make Tail Master do a few hundred laps on the ceiling too."

"Pfft—" Hearing Ji Yuan's joking tone, even the nervous Huohuo couldn't help but laugh. After that laugh, she said nervously, "Um, this gentleman..."

"Ji Yuan."

Ji Yuan introduced himself.

"Mm-hmm, Mr. Ji Yuan..."

Huohuo mustered her courage and looked at Ji Yuan's face.

Only then did she notice that although Ji Yuan seemed tall, his features were quite gentle and approachable. He looked like he couldn't be much older than her. By Celestial Ark Native standards, he was probably still a young man under two hundred years old.

Realizing that Ji Yuan was actually around her age, Huohuo inexplicably felt relieved.

In truth, Ji Yuan wasn't particularly tall—just average height. The reason Huohuo thought he was tall was simply because she herself was rather short.

Huohuo thought for a moment, then said seriously to Ji Yuan, "Mr. Ji Yuan, I don't want you to subdue Tail Master for me."

"Haha, that's more like it!" Tail Master laughed arrogantly at Huohuo's words, then quickly urged her, "Come on, Huohuo, this Suiyang business is over. Let's get out of here."

Watching the Suiyang, which had already flown two hundred laps and was so exhausted its tongue was practically hanging out, still circling wildly above Ji Yuan's head, Tail Master was clearly terrified. This guy's Subjugation Art was far too horrifying. Seeing a technique that could control him like that, Tail Master was genuinely afraid it might be used on him.

But then Huohuo's tone shifted.

"However, Tail Master, I also want to learn the Suiyang Subjugation Art from this gentleman."

"Huohuo, what are you doing!?"

Tail Master shouted loudly.

"I..." Huohuo lowered her head and said in a very small voice, "Well, I thought that if I mastered this technique, then... then I wouldn't be afraid of Suiyang anymore."

Tail Master still didn't trust it. "Don't let him fool you. I have a feeling he's up to no good."

Of course I'm up to no good—but what I'm getting out of Huohuo is something you don't know about.

Ji Yuan thought to himself.

On the surface, he said with righteous indignation, "You're right here—Huohuo can't be tricked. She's still a Judge of the Ten-Lords Commission. What nerve would I have to force anything on her? I'll teach Huohuo, and you can watch from the side."

Hearing Ji Yuan's words, Tail Master hadn't said anything yet, but Huohuo was already convinced.

She spoke to Ji Yuan, "Um, Mr. Ji, Ji Yuan, what... what should I give you to learn this Suiyang Subjugation Art?"

Money, or something else? I wonder if I have enough saved up.

Huohuo worried about her little purse.

At the same time, she feared Ji Yuan might make some demand she couldn't meet.

She had never heard of such a technique before. And since Suiyang—energy-based lifeforms—posed a considerable threat to the Celestial Ark, this art would be very useful for the current Ten-Lords Commission.

Seeing Huohuo so determined, Tail Master said nothing more. But its eyes were fixed on Ji Yuan, ready to warn her the moment he tried anything harmful.

Ji Yuan waved his hand. "Don't worry. I'm a Trade Official—I don't lack money or things. Huohuo, there's only one requirement for learning my Subjugation Art."

"What requirement?"

Huohuo's expression grew even more tense, her breathing quickening.

"Become my student, Huohuo."

Ji Yuan spoke seriously.

Huohuo's breath stopped, her tail standing straight up as she asked quickly, "Th-That's the only condition?"

"Yes. From now on, you can just call me Teacher."

Ji Yuan kept his gaze fixed on Huohuo, waiting for her answer.

"Of course I'm willing."

Huohuo didn't hesitate at all, nodding in agreement on the spot.

The Starfaring Vessel still valued respect for teachers and the Way. Once a master-disciple relationship was confirmed, she didn't have to worry too much about Ji Yuan harming her.

But still...

Looking at Ji Yuan's face, Huohuo felt her teacher was a bit too young.

"Ji, Ji Yuan, Teacher," she said in an extremely quiet voice.

"Mm, good. From now on, you're my first student."

Ji Yuan nodded happily.

Right then, his Achievement System refreshed another entry.

[After careful consideration, you have become the teacher of the Ten-Lords Commission's Chief Adjudicator. As a special reward, ten Jade Steel Reavers (Enhanced Edition) are now granted to serve as your bodyguards.]

Jade Steel Reavers!?

Hearing this from the system, Ji Yuan's eyes sharpened instantly.

He had never heard of such things before—they were probably secret weapons of the Starfaring Vessel. If they suddenly appeared in front of him and someone else saw them, he wouldn't be able to explain himself even with ten mouths.

But before he could react further, the system refreshed another entry.

[Because you have become the mentor of the Chief Adjudicator, your reputation has grown considerably among the high ranks of the Luofu Starfaring Vessel. The system now grants you a Storage Space. Your weapons and items can be stored within the system space.]

Seeing this, Ji Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He quickly stored the Jade Steel Reavers into the space before they could appear.

Only after doing that did he relax.

It was then that Ji Yuan noticed the conditions posted by the system had changed from before.

Earlier, when he first touched Huohuo's head to "tease" her, it had displayed "most renowned" Adjudicator. But just now, Huohuo had directly become the "Chief" Adjudicator.

The difference between the two was that he had taught Huohuo the art of commanding the Reavers.

"So, I can gain benefits from Huohuo, then share them back with her. And as Huohuo's strength increases, her achievements a hundred years from now will be even greater, and I'll get even bigger rewards..."

If Huohuo could rise to an even higher position within the Ten-Lords Commission...

Ji Yuan looked at Huohuo, feeling like the gold mine before him was growing larger and larger.

Chapter 18: Tail: Huohuo, you're going to be tricked until you don't even have socks left!

Seeing Huohuo's frightened expression, Ji Yuan wanted to pat her head again.

But just as he reached out, the tail warned sharply, "What do you think you're doing? Stop right there!"

Ji Yuan silently withdrew his hand.

Fine, don't touch then. It's not like it's a foot—no big deal if I don't.

"Let's go. This business is done. Time for another matter." Ji Yuan walked forward, speaking to Huohuo as he went.

"Wh-What matter?"

Huohuo asked Ji Yuan.

"Why, to have a proper chat with the owner of this house, of course." Ji Yuan rolled up his sleeves.

Good grief, trying to cheat me on the rent? If I don't drive a hard bargain, I'd be letting myself down.

After squeezing the price down to half the normal rent, Ji Yuan and the landlord completed the transaction "fairly."

Anyway, with several houses to your name and still trying to swindle someone this rich, Ji Yuan naturally showed no mercy.

When everything was done, the sky had already darkened. Huohuo led Ji Yuan away after escorting the Suiyang, and before long, they encountered two tall women clad in heavy armor. Ji Yuan looked closely and realized these women weren't human—they were of the Jade Steel type.

So Jade Steel were mechanical lifeforms on the Starfaring Vessel. Ji Yuan had once heard from his mother that these Jade Steels had staged a severe rebellion, but it had long been quelled. The Jade Steels still active on the Vessel now were all extremely safe and reliable.

Seeing these two Jade Steels, Huohuo grew nervous. She turned to Ji Yuan and said awkwardly, "Th-That, Ji, Ji Yuan Teacher. Th-These are the Jade Steel Reavers here to w-wait for me. I, I might have to leave. The Ten-Lords Commission doesn't allow outsiders in."

"Mm, I understand that." Ji Yuan nodded.

At the same time, his gaze swept over the two Jade Steels.

So these were the same Jade Steel Reavers as the ones he had received as a reward? Looking at their cold expressions and movements, their combat power shouldn't be low.

And he had ten of them—enhanced ones at that.

It should still have considerable combat power.

His chances of survival had increased a bit more.

Huohuo looked at the Suiyang in Ji Yuan's hand. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but felt too embarrassed to speak.

She had come here to deal with the Suiyang, yet now the Suiyang had been completely captured by her teacher, with no involvement from her at all. How could she possibly ask her teacher to hand it over?

While Huohuo was lost in thought, Ji Yuan handed the Suiyang to her.

As he passed it over, he commanded the Suiyang, "Come on, tie yourself up like a zongzi."

"Leave me some dignity!"

The Suiyang felt wronged too—it had never seen such torment. It cried out in grievance while grabbing the rope and tying itself up like a zongzi.

Only after it was fully bound did Ji Yuan place it in Huohuo's hands.

"Teacher, this..."

Huohuo looked at Ji Yuan in surprise.

"I don't have the habit of carrying Suiyang around with me. Let the Ten-Lords Commission handle these Suiyang," Ji Yuan said to Huohuo, then turned to leave. "My residence is right here. In a couple of days, once I finish moving, you can come find me here to learn this technique."

Huohuo stared blankly at the Suiyang in her hands.